Spiritual Gifts │The Distinguishing of Spirits

SPIRITUAL GIFTS SERIES

The Spiritual Gift of Distinguishing

of Spirits

Class of Gift: Serving

“and to another the distinguishing

of spirits“

1 Corinthians 12:10, Page 1796

Section One

Introduction

1.1 Every Born-Again Christian Has at Least One Spiritual Gift. Every born-again believer in Jesus Christ has received a spiritual gift from the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 12:4-11, page 1796). Please recall also that one spiritual gift may have a variety of ministries (“διακονιῶν”), with a variety of spiritual effects (1 Corinthians 12:4-7, page 1796). Therefore, if you have the Spiritual Gift of Distinguishing of Spirits, that single gift may result in a variety of ministries, and produce a variety of effects.

1.2Meaning of the Term “Distinguishing of Spirits.” The phrase used to describe the Spiritual Gift of Distinguishing of Spirits concerns a special spiritual ability to recognize spirits. The term “distinguishing” (“διακρίσεις”) means discerning, distinguishing, judging. a few examples will help in understanding its use in the New Testament.

Section Two

The Ministry of Identifying Evil Spirits

2.2 The Spirit of Satan. After Jesus explained to His disciples that He must suffer, die and be raised up on the third day, Peter rebuked Jesus and declared those things would never happen (Matthew 16:21-22, Page 1530). Jesus then turned to Peter and said: “Get behind Me satan” (Matthew 16:23, page 1530). Jesus further explained that Peter had set his mind on man’s interests, not God’s. Jesus displayed His ability as God to distinguish the spirit of satan at work in Peter. A believer with the Spiritual Gift of the Distinguishing of Spirits may be able to identify the spirit of satan or other evil spirits at work in believers and other people.

2.2 The Spirit of Python. As Paul walked about Philippi, a slave-girl followed after him. She kept crying out: “These men are bond-servants of the Most High God, who are proclaiming to you the way of salvation” (Acts 16:17, page 1732). Even though the slave-girl said nice things, Paul identified the spirit within her as an evil spirit, “the spirit of divination.” Literally, the term was “spirit of python” (“πνεῦμαπύθωνα“). The Holy Spirit enabled Paul to discern that the spirit inside the slave-girl was evil. The believer with the Spiritual Gift of distinguishing of spirits may be able to identify the true spirit behind very nice words spoken about people.

Section Three

The Ministry of Removing Misgivings

In Acts 11:12, page 1721, Peter related his experience when the Holy Spirit fell upon him and removed all misgivings (“διακρίναντα“) about going with messengers from Caesarea. The term “misgivings” relates to other uses of the root term to indicate doubts. In this case, the Holy Spirit specifically removed doubts about going with the messengers. At times in our lives, we have serious misgivings about doing certain things. A person with the Spiritual Gift of the Distinguishing of Spirits may help us identify if our “misgivings” are from the Holy Spirit or not.

Section Four

The Ministry of Passing Judgment

4.1 The Gift of Prophecy. Paul directed the proper of use of the Spiritual Gift of Prophecy. He explained that during the public meeting of the church, only two or three prophets were to prophesy at one meeting, and others would pass judgment. If a revleation is made to another, then the first must remain seated.

4.2 The Passing of Judgment. Apparently, the other prophets were to pass judgment (“διακρινέτωσαν”) upon the person offering a revelation (1 Corinthians 14:29, page 1800). At all times the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. The prophets never were to lose control over themselves, so that they fell into uncontrolled, ecstatic utterance. Instead, at all times, they were to remain in control of their own speaking. The other prophets present may be the ones passing of judgment, but a male believer here possessing the Spiritual Gift of Distinguishing of Spirits would know whether the prophesy came from God or elsewhere. Only a male with the Spiritual Gift of Distinguishing of Spirits would be proper in this context because females should remain silent and are not permitted to speak at church meetings with males present (1 Corinthians 14:34, page 1800). Likewise, the female believers should refrain from exercising authority over male believers, because of the order of creation (males first) and the spiritual deception of Eve (1 Timothy 2:12-14, page 1856).

Section Five

The Ministry of Resolving Doubts

5.1 Discern and Doubt. Doubts cause problems for all believers. The root term for “doubt” and the “discern” both have the same root word. Although I understand the limits, I posit that the Spiritual Gift of Serving has an aspect to it covering “doubt.” Therefore, because the root words are the same, we should consider a few verses abut doubting.

5.2 Doubt and Prayer. Jesus instructed His disciples about prayer. He focused upon doubts inhibiting prayer. Jesus told His disciples that whatever they believe will happen “without doubts” (“μὴδιακριθῇ“), it will be granted to him (Mark 11:23, page 1581; Matthew 21:21, page 1538). The believer with the Spiritual Gift of Distinguishing Spirits may also be able to distinguish doubt from faith. Some people may speak from doubts that oppose faith, and the use of the Spiritual Gift of Distinguishing Spirits may help in separating doubt from faith.

5.3 Doubt and Food. Paul taught that believers should avoid eating things that cause other believers to stumble (Romans 14:21, page 1778). We must each eat without our own conviction before God (Romans 14:22, page 1778). If anyone doubts when eating certain things, then they are condemned if they eat, because their eating is not from faith, and whatever is not from faith is sin (Romans 14:23, page 1778). The person with Spiritual Gift of Distinguishing of Spirits may distinguish between faith and doubt in a believer.

5.4 Doubt and Wisdom. James commanded all believers to seek wisdom from God, but they must ask in faith without doubting (” διακρινόμενος“)(James 1:5-6, page 1887). The believer with the Spiritual Gift of Distinguishing of Spirits may be able to discern faith from doubt in the spirits of those believers seeking wisdom.

5.5 Mercy and Doubting. Jude linked doubting (“διακρινομένους”) with mercy (Jude 1:22, page 1913. Jude wrote to the called, beloved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ (Jude 1:1, page 1912). He commanded believers to have mercy on people who are doubting. Mercy refers to withholding punishment, and emotional response in a person watching another person suffer. In this case, mercy refers to lovingly helping the person suffering affliction. The believer with the Spiritual Gift of Distinguishing of Spirits may be able to discern a person suffering affliction, and pour out mercy upon them as they doubt.

Section Six

The Ministry of Appraisal

6.1 Judging. The New Testament provides very specific information about judging people, including ourselves. One aspect of judging concerns the same root word “διακρίνειν” (to distinguish or discern) for distinguishing and judging.

6.2 Discerning Arrogance. Paul exposed the sin of one becoming arrogant against another (1 Corinthians 4:6, page 1786). Paul explained that everyone who thinks they are superior (“διακρίνει”), they must remember that they are overlooking that all they have, they have received (1 Corinthians 4;7, page 1786).

Section Seven

The Ministry of Discerning the Times

Jesus answer the Pharisees and Sdducees seeking a sign from Him. He reminded them that they were able “to discern” (“διακρίνειν”) the appearance of the sky regarding the likelihood of storms, but they could not discern the signs of the times (Matthew 16:3, page 1529). The believer with the Spiritual Gift of Distinguishing Spirits may be able to discern the spirits of the people failing to understand the spiritual signs in front of them.

Section Eight

The Ministry of Rebuke without Railing Judgment

Michael the Archangel did not possess the Spiritual Gift of Distinguishing of Spirits, but he provided an excellent example of delivering a rebuke in the name of the Lord, without a railing judgment (“διακρινόμενος“) (Jude 1:9, page 1912). While disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, Michael did not dare pronounce against the devil a railing judgment. Michael recognized the power and authority of satan. The believer with the Spiritual Gift of Distinguishing of Spirits may be able to deliver a rebuke against a powerful being in the name of the Lord without falling into a railing judgment.

Section Nine

The Ministry to Those in the Gall of Bitterness

Paul encountered a man named Simon who thought he could become like the apostles so that when he laid his hands of a believer, they would receive the Holy Spirit. After Simon attempted to buy that gift, Paul told Simon to repent, because Simon was in the gall of bitterness and in the bondage of iniquity (Acts 8:22-23, Pages 1714-1715). The Holy Spirit again helped Paul to discern the spirit at work in the life of Simon.

Section Ten

The Ministry of Judgment

In 1 Corinthians, Paul confronted the believers about their practices at the Lord’s Supper. When they gathered to remember the death, burial, resurrection and return of the Lord Jesus Christ, they disgraced themselves and their testimony by their actions of getting drunk and acting selfishly (1 Corinthians 11:17-22, page 1795). Furthermore, Paul commanded them to judge (“διακρίνων“) the body rightly (1 Corinthians 11:29, page 1796). He meant that each believer must focus upon the body of Christ, crucified for us, and discern in ourselves any sin causing turbulence in our relationship with Jesus. The believer with the Spiritual Gift of Distinguishing of Spirits may have the ability to discern disturbances caused by unconfessed sins in the lives of believers.

Section Eleven

The Ministry of Acceptance

In Romans, Paul explained how more mature believers must accept the weak in faith. The strong must accept the weak, without passing judgment (“διακρίσεις”) on the opinions of the weak. Doctrine always makes a difference, but opinions may be personal. The term “opinion” (“διαλογισμῶν”) means in this context the personal decision to eat vegetables or not or to observe one day above another (Romans 14:1-9, page 1777). That personal decision should not lead others to view you with contempt (Romans 14:3, page 1777). We are not free to have our own doctrine, but we may have our own opinions. The strong must be careful to distinguish the doctrine from the opinion. In all cases, we should not sit in judgment upon other believer’s for their opinions, and always avoid regarding them with contempt. The believer with the Spiritual Gift of Distinguishing of Spirits may have the ability: (a) to distinguish opinion from doctrine; and (b) to accept the weak without passing judgment upon their opinions; and (c) avoid regarding others with contempt for their opinions.

Section Twelve

The Ministry of Christian Court

In 1 Corinthians 6, Paul explained to the Corinthians that believers should not take believers to court. Instead, they should resolve their differences in the church. Specifically, the two opposing parties should find a wise man who will be able to decide (“διακρῖναι”) between them (1 Corinthians 6:5, pages 1787-1788). In this case, the wise man can use his spiritual ability to make a judgment between the two opposing parties. The believer with the Spiritual Gift of Distinguishing of Spirits may be able to decide between the competing people and competing spirits opposing each other in the Christian court.

Section Thirteen

The Ministry of Discerning Good and Evil

As a normal part of growing up in Christ to a mature believer, God must train our senses to discern good and evil. Some people were born again years ago, but never matured in Christ, because they have become dull of hearing, and require teacing of the elementary principles of the oracles of God (Hebrews 5:12, page 1874). Those immature believers should have become teachers of the truth, and not remained ignorant and immature. Immature believers often cannot tell the difference between sound doctrine and the doctrine of demons. Immature believers often cannot discern that certain teachers of the Bible are not teaching the Bible, but rather teaching the doctrine of demons. Immature believers need the milk and and not solid food (Hebrews 5:12, page 1874). Only mature believers accustomed to solid food have by repeated practice had their senses trained to discern good and evil (Hebrews 5:14, page 1874). Only the regular diet of solid food (doctrine from the word of God beyond the elementary principles of the oracles of God) can truly discern good and evil. The believer with the Spiritual Gift of Distinguishing Spirits may be able to distinguish good and evil, and the spirits behind the teaching.

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Welcome !

Welcome to Christ Assembly. As born-again believers, baptized by Jesus Christ in the Holy Spirit, we love to glorify God through the study and application of His Word, the Bible. As we study the Bible, we seek to know God better, and to introduce others to the loving salvation of Jesus Christ received by faith alone.

We value the spiritual gifts bestowed upon every born-again Christian and seek to equip them for the work of service for Christ Jesus. Only through every saint using the spiritual gift(s) bestowed upon them will the body of Jesus Christ reach spiritual maturity and avoid being blown about by every wind of doctrine. May God have all the glory, always.
HALLELUJAH !

Spiritual Help

Eternal Life

People often ask me about how they can find spiritual peace. They tell me about their serious illness, divorce, drug addiction, alcoholism, and many other problems that grieve them. So many people share with me that they have never felt truly loved in their entire life, even though they have been married for decades, and have grandchildren. So many people feel a spiritual hunger and thirst within themselves. Jesus loves people and wants you to know all about His great love. He called it the greatest news anyone will ever hear. So, let me share with you about Jesus, Who loves you today. In Jesus, you can receive peace with God today. Jesus alone provides spiritual peace.

Romans 10:9

“Jesus asks you: ‘Why should I let you into My heaven?'”

Let me start with a question. Imagine you were to die today, and stand before Jesus Christ. Imagine further that Jesus looked at you and asked: “Why should I let you into My heaven?”
Take a moment and think about what you would say to Jesus. I have personally asked that question to hundreds and hundreds of people, if not thousands, one person at a time. Jesus always deals personally with you. He knows your name, and loves you personally. Jesus knows your good points and your bad points.

Romans 3:23

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

As God in the flesh, Jesus totally understands who we are as sinners. Sinners fall short of the glory of God. Sin separates us from spiritual peace with God today. In God’s eyes, we all fall short of the glory of God. We do not act perfectly all of the time and so fall short of His glory. We tell lies, we think impure thoughts, we do things we know we should not have done. The road to peace with God starts with understanding that we all sin and we all fall short of the glory of God. As sinners, we tend to hide our sins in darkness, but Jesus helps us recognize that we are sinners and need to come into the light of God. We take the first steps down the path of peace with God by agreeing with God that we are sinners. God helps us walk down the path of peace with God by His divine power. Only by God’s power can I change my mind and accept the truth that I am a sinner. I must repent of my sin and seek God’s forgiveness for my sin. How do I find forgiveness?

Romans 6:23

“For the wages of sin is death; but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Jesus, the Son of God, offers forgiveness to sinners as a gift. In order to have peace with God, we must receive God’s gift of forgiveness. Before we can grasp God’s offer of forgiveness, we must understand God’s justice and how it works. God tells us that justice imposes a penalty upon sin. God said that the wages of sin is death. Just as we earn wages for our work, so sin earns the wage of death. This spiritual death results from us sinning and falling short of the glory of God. God cannot remain just, and simply ignore our sin. Justice requires that every sin be paid by the death penalty. You have sinned so you deserve to die spiritually. Sin causes the spiritual death of the sinner. Now let us focus upon the gift of God: forgiveness. As a sinner, deserving death, I really do not deserve a gift of eternal life. Instead of death, God wants me to have eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Yet, my sin blocks me from having eternal life. To sinners God loves to give the free gift of eternal life. Although I have earned the death penalty by sinning, God offers me eternal life as a free Christmas gift. I cannot earn the gift of eternal life, and I do not deserve the gift of eternal life. God just wants me to have His gift of eternal life. God purchased the gift of eternal life, just for me, the sinner. Why would God give me gift of eternal life?

Romans 5:8

“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

God gives the free gift of eternal life to sinners because God loves sinners like me. The road to peace with God means that I learn and accept that God loves sinners. Jesus came to love sinners. While I was a sinner, God loved me. So many people think that God hates sinners, but God tells us just the opposite right in this verse. I do not have to clean up my life before God will love me. God loves sinners. God gives the gift of eternal life to sinners, not to perfect people. You see, the gift of eternal life means that I believe that Jesus as God died for me on the cross. I recognize that I deserve the death penalty because I sinned, but Jesus took my place on the cross and died for all my sin. He satisfied God’s justice by paying the death penalty for me. God now offers me a free gift of eternal life, because Jesus loves sinners, and gave His life to die on the cross to pay for all my sins. Jesus demonstrated God’s love for sinners. How do I accept the free gift of God?

Romans 10:9

“that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”

You accept the free gift of God by confessing Jesus as Lord and believing in your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead. We believe that God told us the truth that we fall short of the glory of God because we are sinners. Wonderfully, God loves sinners just like me. God purchased the gift of eternal life for me. I reach out by faith alone to accept the free gift from God. I believe that God sent Jesus as God in the flesh to die for me on the cross. Jesus paid the death penalty for me. Jesus satisfied the justice of God. New life in Jesus Christ begins with faith and continues for eternity. You can accept the free gift of eternal life right now, no matter where you are. Pray this prayer of faith.

Lord Jesus, I confess that I am a sinner and fall short of the glory of God.

Lord Jesus, I confess that I deserve the death penalty. I repent of my sins.

Lord Jesus, I believe that You died on the cross in my place, because You loved me and paid the death penalty for me.

Lord Jesus, I confess you as Lord of my life.

Lord Jesus, I believe that God raised You from the dead. I accept right now Your gift of forgiveness for all my sins, and thank You for saving me.

Amen.

If you prayed that prayer in faith, please send me an email through the contact box below. I look forward to getting to know you and help you walk daily with Jesus Christ. At the moment of salvation, the Holy Spirit of God comes into our lives and makes us new creations. You have an abundant life in front of you, filled with joy and peace with God. We must learn from Jesus, and He is humble and gentle with us.